About the Episode
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About the Episode:
You thought we were done with the show? Think again. The pursuit of top-tier tactics continues! isn't going anywhere, but we ARE getting a new voice behind the mic. After 56 episodes of Day Kibilds serving up the tactical gold you've come to love, she's officially passing the torch to Safaniya "Safy" Stevenson, a brand strategist and cultural analyst equally obsessed with tactics. Get to know your new host and what she's got in store for the show. Also, find out what Day will be doing with her newfound free time. SPOILER: It's also based in tactics. She just can't give it up, can she?!
Key Takeaways
- Talking Tactics enters a new chapter with incoming host Safaniya Stevenson, bringing fresh energy and new perspectives to the show.
- The podcast will continue to center real-world enrollment marketing strategies, featuring on-the-ground producers and practitioners.
- Safaniya aims to explore both success stories and the “messy middle” — including failed tactics and what we learn from them.
- Day Kibilds signs off with a preview of her next creative chapter: a practical advice-driven newsletter for higher ed marketers.
- The show’s signature sign-off — “Keep walking the walk and talking the tactics” — lives on!
Episode Summary: What’s Changing and What’s Staying in Talking Tactics?
Why did Day Kibilds step down as host — and why is Safaniya Stevenson the perfect successor?
After 56 episodes of bringing the voices of higher ed marketers to life, Day Kibilds is passing the baton to Safaniya Stevenson, a self-proclaimed “content strategist girly” with deep roots in media, brand strategy, and audience engagement. Day is stepping away to launch a weekly newsletter that answers real-world questions from fellow marketers — staying true to her ethos of being a “do leader” rather than a “thought leader.”
As for why Safaniya’s the right person for the job? She’s been a fan of the show from the start. She loved Talking Tactics for its focus on tactical execution — not just theory or industry-wide trends, but the scrappy, “do it now” tactics you can implement next week. With a background in TV news, PR, and social media strategy, Safaniya brings a multidimensional lens that connects cultural insights, brand messaging, and practical marketing applications in higher education.
What’s Safaniya’s vision for the future of Talking Tactics?
Safaniya wants to double down on the show's practical value. She’s passionate about helping enrollment marketers hear from peers across campuses who are actively testing ideas and refining their strategies. She believes Talking Tactics should celebrate not just the wins, but the messy, imperfect process of getting there — including failures, iterations, and the approval politics behind a good idea.
In her words, tactics don’t “just come out of thin air.” They stem from insights, community conversations, and the courage to try something new — even when the idea is a little unconventional. Whether it’s a custom CRM for Giving Day or naming squirrels for a recruitment campaign (yes, really), Safaniya wants to unpack where these ideas start and how they’re brought to life.
What can listeners expect from Day next?
Even though Day is stepping down as host, she’s not disappearing from the higher ed marketing space. In fact, she’s channeling her energy into something new: a practical, advice-driven newsletter aimed at helping marketers get unstuck. Launching this September, her newsletter invites questions from the community and offers real, tactical responses — think of it as Talking Tactics, but in inbox form.
As a prolific LinkedIn voice and author of a book on newsletters, Day is finally taking her own advice and stepping into the inbox world. She describes herself not as a thought leader, but as a “do leader,” focused on sharing what’s worked for her and encouraging others to experiment with new strategies.
Connect With Our Host:
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.
Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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